in time, for the surf
boats were at that moment rolling to the yellow beach.

Sir Robert Sanleigh, in spotless white, was carried ashore, and his
staff followed.

"Ah, Hamilton," said the great Bob, "everything all right?"

"Yes, your Excellency," said Hamilton, "there have been one or two
serious killing palavers on which I will report."

Sir Robert nodded.

"You were bound to have a little trouble as soon as Sanders went," he
said.

He was a methodical man and had little time for the work at hand, for
the mail-boat was waiting to carry him to another station. Books,
quarters, and stores were in apple-pie order, and inwardly Hamilton
raised his voice in praise of the young man, who strode silently and
fiercely by his side, his face still distorted with a new-found
fierceness.

"The Houssas are all right, I suppose?" asked Sir Robert. "Discipline
good--no crime?"

"The discipline is excellent, sir," replied Hamilton, heartily, "and we
haven't had any serious crime for years."

Sir Robert Sanleigh fixed his _pince-nez_ upon his nose and looked round
the parade ground. A dozen Houssas in two ranks stood at attention in
the centre.

"Where are the rest of your men?" asked the Administrator.

"In gaol, sir." It was Bones who answered the question.

Hamilton gasped.

"In gaol--I'm sorry--but I knew nothing for this. I've just arrived from
the interior, your Excellency."

They walked across to the little party.

"Where is Sergeant Abiboo?" asked Hamilton suddenly.

"In gaol, sir," said Bones, promptly, "sentenced to death--scratchin'
his leg on parade after bein' warned repeatedly by me to give up the
disgusting habit."

"Where is Corporal Ahmet, Bones?" asked the frantic Hamilton.

"In gaol, sir," said Bones. "I gave him twenty years for talkin' in the
ranks an' cheekin' me when I told him to shut up. There's a whole lot of
them, sir," he went on casually. "I sentenced two chaps to death for
fightin' in the lines, an' gave another feller ten years for----"

"I think that will do," said Sir Robert, tactfully. "A most excellent
inspection, Captain Hamilton--now, I think, I'll get back to my ship."

He took Hamilton aside on the beach.

"What did you call that young man?" he asked.

"Bones, your Excellency," said Hamilton miserably.

"I should call him Blood and Bones," smiled His Excellency, as he shook
hands.

* * * * *

"What's the good of bullyin' me, dear ol